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Presentation of diplomas to English Division graduates

Two young women, one facing front, the other backwards. Dressed in black togas and black birettas. One of the girls has her hands next to the other girl's head, correcting her biretta.

The graduation is a unique ceremony. It is a symbolic closing of an important stage in life - the time of study, and the beginning of a new stage - professional work. Associated with it are primarily positive emotions. And it was in such excellent moods that on Monday, June 19, our university bid farewell to 81 graduates of the English Division of the Faculty of Medicine. They were accompanied by their families and loved ones. And the ceremony took place in the beautiful interiors of the Royal Castle. - Remember, medicine is not only a profession, it is an art, but above all a passion. And I hope you will feel this passion - the Rector, Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, said to the heroes of the ceremony.

The ceremony traditionally began with the song "Gaude Mater Polonia" performed by the MUW choir and the entrance of the ceremonial procession, composed of authorities and representatives of the faculty and the university. Then the official anthem of our university "Medicine" was sung. The guests were welcomed by Prof. Rafal Krenke, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and host of the diploma awarding ceremony.

MUW diploma - a passport that opens all doors

- In a moment you will take the oath and become real doctors. This means that you will take on a huge responsibility. Don't forget this - the rector said, stressing that medical professionals should work on their personal development every day. - Of course, this means hard work, but I am sure you will do very well. You are going to your medical world with a very good document, a perfect passport - the MUW diploma.

The Rector stressed that we are not only the oldest university in Warsaw, with a tradition dating back more than 200 years, but also one of the largest in the country. And the best medical university in Poland, as evidenced by our position in international rankings. The Rector received a loud ovation for these words. - Be proud of your Alma Mater, which shaped you at the beginning of your medical journey. But also remember that we are proud of you. And we appreciate the multiculturalism that you have brought to our university - added Prof. Gaciong.

Lifelong learning

- By receiving your diploma, you do not just become part of the history of the university, but also join the ranks of highly educated graduates of the Faculty of Medicine at MUW - Prof. Krenke said to the heroes of the ceremony. Continuous improvement of knowledge and skills is part of medical practice. That is why it is worth taking advantage of every opportunity to acquire valuable skills. Even if the path seems difficult. This is especially important, especially in the context of the new challenge that graduates face after receiving their diploma - it's all about responsibility. - For the patient, for the patient's family, but also for the members of the treatment team and the younger colleagues you will be teaching and supervising - the Dean said.

Prof. Krenke also stressed that the reward for the heavy responsibility as well as mental and physical burdens, will be the great satisfaction that comes from knowing that you are helping people in need, that you are saving their lives. - You will see how motivating and wonderful this feeling is - the Dean said. - Remember that patients do not put their trust in machines and equipment, but in you. So don't stop learning, don't stop asking questions, and don't forget that medicine is an art as much as it is a science, practiced by doctors and researchers who bring to the patient's bedside not only technology and training, but also humanity, care and concern.

Presentation of diplomas and acknowledgements

After speeches by the Rector and Dean, it was time to hand out diplomas. First, however, Jacek Sieńko, MD, PhD, Vice Dean for student affairs of the English Division, read out the words of the medical oath, which the graduates repeated after him. Among other things, they vowed to fulfill all the duties imposed by law, uphold the dignity of the doctor, help those who suffer without any differences, such as race, religion, nationality, political views, with the sole aim of their welfare.

The graduates received their diplomas from the hands of the Rector and Dean. Several of them were also honored with special awards. "Gold badge" of the MUW Student Scientific Society for scientific activity was awarded to: Disha Keshwani and Mikołaj Marszałek. An award from the IFMSA-Poland Warsaw Branch for special contributions to the organization's activities was given to Mithulya Amboo Mahentheran, Huda Shah and Anya Wyporski. Special thanks from the department went to Carolyn Szwed and Huda Shah who are active in the English Division student government.

Voice of the heroes of the ceremony

Graduating from medical school in another country, away from family and the familiar - this is a great achievement that English Divsion graduates can be truly proud of. During the ceremony, their representatives shared their reflections on the six years spent at MUW. Lifelong friendships, the dedication of many lecturers and their inspiring classes gave extra value to their studies. The graduates also talk about what lies ahead. - The transition from student life to real life will be difficult, said Eetu Honkala, who spoke on behalf of the graduates. - We will feel pressure and we will make mistakes. But it is important to remember that we have friends, colleagues, family. You will not be able to go through this journey alone, and you shouldn't. Do not be ashamed to ask for help and notice people who need this help. Be compassionate, be kind, be fantastic. You can do it, I believe in it.

- I have always liked to emphasize that the ED program is unique. The community is made up of students from more than 70 countries. We come from different parts of the world, but we all share the same goal of becoming doctors - said Carolyn Szwed, president of the English Division student government: - It hasn't been an easy journey, but I think we can all agree that it has been worth it.

- There is a universal truth that you have to accept, whether you want it or not – that everything ends at some point - said Elvira Bukowiecki. - Today is one such day, you say goodbye to something that was familiar to you, you move forward, to a new beginning.

Speeches were also given by Michał Macech, university teacher, representative of the Teaching Council of the English Division of the Faculty of Medicine, from the Chair and Department of General, Vascular, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery UCC MUW, and Dr. Murug Raj Rajathurai, president of the Commonwealth Medical Association, president of the Malaysian Medical Association.

The event was enhanced by a short Chopin piano recital.
 
In the 2022/2023 academic year, medical studies conducted in English were completed by graduates coming from such countries as: Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Norway, Germany or Finland.

 

In addition to those mentioned above, the diploma awarding ceremony was attended by the Vice Deans of the Faculty of Medicine: Prof. Aneta Nitsch-Osuch, Prof. Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz, Prof. Tadeusz Grochowiecki, Łukasz Koperski, MD, PhD, Prof. Mariusz Gujski, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Agnieszka Bazylko, MD, PhD, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Bożena Werner and Prof. Marek Postuła, former vice deans of the English Division of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Marta Kijak-Bloch, chancellor of MUW, as well as Saad Saleh Alsaleh, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Poland, and Musaad Alharbi from the Saudi Embassy. Also present were students: from the English Division student government - Mike Lee, Dan-ae Kim, Michail Kontentakis, Rakesh Roshan, Catherine Gartside, Anna Krawczyk, chairwoman of  the Student Scientific Society MUW, and Kamila Rutkowska, Local Coordinator for Human Rights and Peace (LORP) from IFMSA-Poland Warsaw Branch. As well as families and friends of the graduates.

 

In the foreground, a man in a rector's toga, his back turned, is wearing a red biretta on his head and holding a scepter. In front of him is a group of young people dressed in black togas and birettas.
A group of people in a richly decorated castle hall. In the foreground is a man in a red and black toga, standing behind a lectern and speaking. He is wearing a black biretta and glasses. In the distance, a group of people dressed in togas.
A group of seated young people dressed in black togas. They all have black birettas on their heads and maroon sashes slung around their necks. They are applauding.
A glimpse of the hall of the Royal Castle in Warsaw and the people in it. They are seated, dressed mostly in black togas and birettas.
A group of people in the castle hall. On the left, a man in a red and black toga, stands behind the lectern and speaks. In front of the rostrum a bouquet of colourful flowers. On the right, a group of people in togas.
In the foreground, a man in a red toga with a white collar presents a diploma to a girl dressed in a black toga and biretta.
Three men smile for a photograph. The man in the middle, wearing a black toga and biretta holds a diploma.
A group of people dressed in black birettas and black togas. They are sitting in the castle hall. One person - a girl is standing.
A group of seated individuals.
In the foreground, to the right, a standing camera with recording on. In front of the camera, a man in a red toga with a white collar shakes hands with a young woman dressed in a black toga and biretta.
Group of six standing. In the background a man standing behind a lectern wearing a black toga. In the foreground 3 men and two women. They are smiling for the photograph. Two people are holding navy blue gift bags.
A group of four people standing. Two men and two young women. The women are standing in the middle. They hold gift bags and briefcases in their hands.
A group of five people standing. Three men and two young women. The women are standing in the middle. They hold gift bags and briefcases in their hands.
Group of people. Some are sitting. Four people stand and applaud. Dressed in different coloured outfits.
A young man wearing glasses, dressed in a black toga and biretta speaks behind the rostrum.
A young woman, dressed in a black toga and biretta, speaks behind the rostrum. In the background, several people dressed in red and black togas. The WUM banner can also be seen.
A man in a black suit and red tie. He stands behind the lectern. With one hand he holds the microphone and speaks. Behind him, the WUM banner can be seen in the background.
A woman in a beige dress sits behind a piano.
A group of people dressed in black, choristers. They are standing and singing. In their hands they hold briefcases.
In the foreground, two standing people. On the left, a man in a suit and tie holding a diploma. On the right, a young woman wearing a biretta and a black toga. In the background sit people dressed in togas.
Group of people. They are seated. Most of them wearing black togas and birettas, a few in the front rows wearing black and red togas. They pose for a photo.
A group of people. One of them holds a mobile phone raised above their heads and takes a picture.
Two people, a young man and a young woman dressed in togas and birettas pose for a photo against a blue background with the WUM logo and information about the Diplomatatorium.
Three people, a young woman wearing a toga and biretta, and a man and a woman pose for a photo against a blue background with the WUM logo and information about the Diplomatatorium.